Maritzburg United and agent Glyn Binkin have explained why star midfielder Deolin Mekoa is still training with the KwaZulu-Natal side.
Last week it was widely reported that the former Bafana Bafana international had been released by the KwaZulu-Natal club.
snl24.com/kickoff understands that indeed the club did propose to terminate the player's contract just days before the transfer window deadline, but a settlement could not be reached.
The 26-year-old has been an important member of the KZN side for years now, even earning himself a place in the South Africa under-23 Squad that participated at the Olympics in Brazil.
Mekoa, who has been linked with Gauteng giants Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs for years now, is said to be not in the plans of head coach Eric Tinkler this season.
United media officer Younis Kadodia has confirmed that the Durban-born player is still at the club.
"He's been always training with the team, nothing has changed there," Kadodia said.
"Stories are stories my friend, he is still training with the club nothing else changed. He's played this season already so he has to be registered.
"That's why the club released a statement saying that he was not leaving because there were obviously reports saying he was leaving at first. So the club had to clear it up. He was always part of the team."
Asked for a comment on the matter, Mekoa's representative Binkin said the player still has a contract with the club.
"He is going nowhere, he is under contract to Maritzburg," he added.
Pressed further on what he thinks led to the whole confusion, he said: "I don't know and actually don't care. The player has a contract with the club."
Mekoa has already played twice for Maritzburg in the league this season.